Turzysk

Jews resided in Turzysk from the mid-16th century. During World War I between 1916 and 1918, under Austrian rule, the Jews of the town suffered from hunger and epidemics. After World War I Tyrzysk was incorporated into the independent Polish state. In 1921 1,173 Jews were living in the town, where they comprised more than a half of the population. Most Jews, many of whom were assisted by the JOINT, engaged in petty trade and crafts; a few were involved in trade in and the export of lumber and grain. Various Zionist organizations and youth movements (especially Ha-Shomer Ha-Tsair, He-Halutz, and Beitar) were active in Turzysk and established training communes there. Bundist groups also operated in the town, as well as supporters of the underground Communist Party. The Tarbut Hebrew-language and CYSHO Yiddish-language associations operated schools and libraries in the town. In September 1939, with the arrival of the Red Army in the town following the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, Turzysk became part of Soviet Ukraine. Under the Soviets all Jewish institutions and organizations were disbanded. It is estimated that in mid-1941 the Jewish population of the town was approximately 1,400. The Germans occupied Turzysk on June 29, 1941. They, along with some Ukrainians, looted Jewish property. At the end of July 1941 10 Jews accused of being Soviet activists were shot to death. The Jews were ordered to wear a Star of David armband (later replaced by yellow patches on their outer clothing)and Jewish houses were marked with yellow symbols. A "Judenrat", headed by Yehuda-Leyb Ginzburg, was established. The Germans set up a Jewish police force as well. The Jews, via the Judenrat, had to pay various kinds of "contributions" in money, valuables, jewelry, furs, and live-stock. They were also conscripted for forced labor – mainly agricultural work and the construction of roads and bridges. At some time before mid-August 1942 the Jews of Turzysk were concentrated into several unfenced-in streets, where Jews from nearby villages were also forcibly resettled. On August 19, 1942, the Jewish community was ordered to pay a heavy ransom in valuables and clothing. That same day several ghetto inhabitants, including a member of the Judenrat, were murdered. If their demand were not met promptly, the Germans threatened to annihilate the entire community. With great effort the Jews managed to collect the required clothes and shoes, but were unable to collect such a large sum of money. The next day Ukrainian policemen sealed off the town, not permitting any Jews to leave and shooting those caught attempting to escape. On August 23 the open ghetto was liquidated and its inmates, mainly women and children, were shot to death outside the town, at the former brick factory, by a unit of the Security Police and members of the Gendarmerie (rural order police). During the shooting some of the Jews engaged in acts of resistance. A number of Jews who had hidden inside the ghetto set fire to the houses and, as a result, many Jews met their deaths. Turzysk was liberated by the Red Army on February 3, 1944.